US4906055A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Voltage level judging device
Assignee: Sharp Corp
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Filing: 1989-07-12
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Granted: 1990-03-06
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Expires: 2009-07-12
Abstract
Abstract A device for determining whether a source voltage from a power source to be applied to a load such as an electrical apparatus is below a standard level but above a specified level or below this specified level includes a voltage divider circuit for dividing the source voltage, a single voltage level detection circuit for comparing an inputted voltage, a transistor switch with which the source voltage or the output voltage from the voltage divider circuit is selectably inputted to the voltage level detection circuit, and a central processing unit for controlling the operation of the transistor switch according to the result of detection by the voltage level detection circuit.
Inventors
- 👤 Hiroyuki Horiuchi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 20:49
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01R; G01R15/00; G01R15/04; G01R19/00; G01R19/165; G01R19/16533; G01R19/16538; G01R19/16542; G01R31/00; G01R31/36; G01R31/3644; G01R31/3646; G01R31/367
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
286 words
In a voltage level judging device connected to a power source outputting a source voltage and to a load for determining whether said source voltage from said power source is below a standard level but above a specified threshold voltage or below said threshold voltage, the improvement wherein said voltage level judging device comprises a voltage divider means for dividing said source voltage and thereby outputting a divided voltage which is a specified fraction of said source voltage, a single voltage level detection means for comparing an applied voltage with said threshold voltage and outputting an OK signal if said applied voltage is above said threshold voltage and a not-OK signal if said applied voltage is not above said threshold voltage, switching means for selectably causing said source voltage or said divided voltage to be applied to said voltage level detection means, and control means for controlling operation of said voltage level judging device, said control means continuing to operate said switching means so as to cause said divided voltage to be applied to said voltage level detection means as long as said voltage level detection means outputs said OK signal, said control means operating said switching means to cause said source voltage to be applied to said voltage level detection means if said voltage level detection means outputs said not-OK signal while said divided voltage is applied thereto, said control means outputting a first warning signal if said voltage level detection means outputs said OK signal while said source voltage is applied thereto, and said control means outputting a second warning signal different from said first warning signal if said voltage level detection means outputs said not-OK signal while said source voltage is applied thereto.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
286 words
In a voltage level judging device connected to a power source outputting a source voltage and to a load for determining whether said source voltage from said power source is below a standard level but above a specified threshold voltage or below said threshold voltage, the improvement wherein said voltage level judging device comprises a voltage divider means for dividing said source voltage and thereby outputting a divided voltage which is a specified fraction of said source voltage, a single voltage level detection means for comparing an applied voltage with said threshold voltage and outputting an OK signal if said applied voltage is above said threshold voltage and a not-OK signal if said applied voltage is not above said threshold voltage, switching means for selectably causing said source voltage or said divided voltage to be applied to said voltage level detection means, and control means for controlling operation of said voltage level judging device, said control means continuing to operate said switching means so as to cause said divided voltage to be applied to said voltage level detection means as long as said voltage level detection means outputs said OK signal, said control means operating said switching means to cause said source voltage to be applied to said voltage level detection means if said voltage level detection means outputs said not-OK signal while said divided voltage is applied thereto, said control means outputting a first warning signal if said voltage level detection means outputs said OK signal while said source voltage is applied thereto, and said control means outputting a second warning signal different from said first warning signal if said voltage level detection means outputs said not-OK signal while said source voltage is applied thereto.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said control means include a central processing unit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
52 words
The device of claim 1 further comprising a first light emitting diode with a first color and a second light emitting diode with a second color different from said first color, said first warning signal activating said first light emitting diode and said second warning signal activating said second light emitting diode.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said switching means comprise a PNP-type transistor having a base, an emitter and a collector, said base being connected to said control means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
68 words
The device of claim 4 wherein said voltage divider means comprises a first junction, a second junction, a grounding junction, a first resistor connecting said first junction and said second junction, and a second resistor connecting said second junction and said grounding junction, said voltage divider means being connected to said power source such that said source voltage is applied between said first junction and said grounding junction.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device of claim 5 wherein said emitter is connected to said first junction and said collector is connected to both said voltage level detection means and said second junction.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 5 wherein said control means serves to stop operation of said load when said second warning signal is outputted.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-03-05 | 1993-09-04 | 1994-03-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-03-05 | 1997-09-04 | 1998-03-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-03-05 | 2001-09-04 | 2002-03-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |